fiscal cliff. there were strong warnings about jumping off the cliff today. federal reserve chairman ben bernanke said failure to strike a deal would cause huge damage to the economy. >> if the economy actually went off the fiscal cliff, our assessment, the cbo's assessment, outside forecasters all think that would have very adverse effects on the economy and on the unemployment rate. we cannot offset the full impact of the fiscal cliff. it's just too big. >> there was another figurehead on capitol hill today, urging a solution to the standoff. >> to parents everywhere, call your representatives today, tomorrow, and every day until they pass the tax cut that is so important to you all. >> i guess we're pulling out all stops. senate republican leader mitch mcconnell was not really in the holiday mood today. he claims the president is not giving republicans anything to work with. >> the president and his allies have taken so many things off the table, the only thing left is the varnish. >> well, that